Mary Ellen Hill ~ Storyteller & Teacher

ADOPTEES CONNECTING CLUB (ACC):

Welcome to my Adoptees Connecting page!

One day in 2008, an 8 year-old friend asked me, "How did you handle being adopted?". After telling her a couple of my strategies, I said, "Let's find some other adopted children who would want to get together and talk about this." My search led to therapy groups but not any play or art-based groups. So the two of us created the first Adoptees Connecting Camp in the summer of 2008!

How greatly I would have appreciated such a group when I was growing up in Indiana. I had no peer adoptees to relate to when I was a youngster, and I knew no adult adoptees. Those who attend ACC have an opportunity to be with other adopted children of various ages and with an adult adoptee. Over the years, I have seen that each child has a unique approach to life and adds his/her own particular wisdom to the group- no matter their age. As an adult, I have explored a wide variety of approaches to processing the feelings and thoughts about my adoption. And during my 30 year teaching career, I have created many successful creative classes
and camps. These experiences, along with my 8 year old friend, fuel and inform my inspiration for ACC.

*Please see below about the upcoming dates for ACC and wonderful photos of adoptees having fun at my home studio, the FAD PAD!*

"ACC is the only camp I really want to go to!"- 9 year old

"Thank you for making ACC. ACC not only helped us with adoption, but helped us get through some rough times and still have fun",- from a thank you card from the ACC 2015/16 club

"Thank you for creating ACC camp. This camp has been really helpful to me because I can actually have something in common with others and make new friends, learn new things and tell my
adoption story. So, thanks again, love,"- 10 year old

Adoptees Connecting Club (ACC)

Our 2017/18 ACC Club has not begun yet. We are awaiting new members!
Please email, mehstories@netzero.com, or call Mary Ellen, 510-219-3474 for more information.

ACC is a fun, safe and creative place for adoptees, 6-16 years old. This club is for children who want to explore their adoption story in a supportive and playful way
with other adopted children. Each child will have many opportunities to share, explore and celebrate their particular life journey as an adopted person through various art forms: writing,
drawing, cooking, yoga, mindfulness, creative visualization, drama and puppets. Since there are no more than 8 children at our club meetings, there is time for all to participate fully.

Please fill out the FAD PAD Emergency Formor I can email it to you.
If you have already been to a FAD PAD playshop or camp and your contact information has not changed you do not need to fill out the FAD PAD Emergency Form.

Parents and teachers rave:

Mary Ellen has positively impacted my child's development for 8 years. I highly recommend her.

Mary Ellen embraces children as they are. That's especially important for adoptees, who suffered an early incredible loss. Her work with art and nature is organically healing.

In ACC's fun, pressure-free activities, meaningful conversations emerge naturally. Over time, adoptees realize their amazing commonality. They see their lives as wonderful journeys.